PG&E Joaquin Ridge Satellite Dish Installation
Summary
SCH Number
2020060414
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
PG&E Joaquin Ridge Satellite Dish Installation
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/19/2020
Document Description
The project consists of installing a new Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite dish on a 10-feet tall poll within the existing communication site. The satellite dish will be approximately 4-feet tall and mounted onto the top of the pole. The pole will have a concrete foundation that is 5' 6" deep and l' 6" in diameter. A 10-feet long trench, 2-feet deep, will hold a conduit providing electrical power between the satellite dish and the existing Telecommunications Room (see the attached Project Design Drawing). Additionally, space within the existing generator room and vault on-site will be leased to PG&E along with 11 additional antenna positions on the existing telecommunications tower.
Contact Information
Name
Christina Snow
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Fresno
Other Location Info
Joaquin Ridge on Black Mountain
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1 and Class 4; Section 15301 -Existing Facilities Section 15304 - Minor Alteration to Land
Reasons for Exemption
Per CCR Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), the minor alteration of existing structures involving negligible expansion of the existing or former use qualifies as a Categorical Exemption under CEQA. The addition of satellite dishes to the existing lattice steel communications tower will not alter the existing use of the tower or expand the footprint of the tower. Additionally, the leasing of space within existing generator rooms to PG&E will not change the use of those buildings or expand the footprint of those buildings. Per CCR Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), the construction of new, small structures qualifies as a Categorical Exemption under CEQA. The construction of a new, relatively short (10-feet tall pole with 4-feet tall satellite dish) structure at a communications site is consistent with this Categorical Exemption. This project consists of leasing and minor improvements of an existing vacant lot. Field review by CAL FIRE confirmed that no exceptions apply that would preclude the use of a notice of exemption for this project. The Department has concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forestland or timberland, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use planning, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation or traffic, or to utilities and service systems. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at the 1131 S Street, Sacramento, CA 95811.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613. For more information, please visit OPR’s Accessibility Site.